Locking arrangement for a construction machine

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for a construction machine includes a machine frame; and an articulated boom. The articulated boom is arranged on the machine frame. The articulated boom includes a proximal arm that is mounted in an articulated manner to the machine frame and a distal arm that is connected in an articulated manner to the proximal arm. The arrangement is configured to be operated in an operational mode, in which the proximal arm and the machine frame are interlocked.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to PCT/CN2018/089551 filed Jun. 1,2018, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a locking arrangement for a constructionmachine.

BACKGROUND

Construction machines are known, which have an articulated boom at thefront or back of a machine frame, wherein the articulated boom can beoperated in different operational modes. A multi-operational boom designis commonly realized by hydraulically operated boom arms, whereinselected positioning cylinders of the articulated boom may be activatedto hold selected boom arms in place. Positioning cylinders of furtherboom arms, which are not held in place, may be activated to executerequested articulations and movements of the further arms. Thus,different operational modes are basically realized by holding differentarms of the articulated boom in place. Thus, stiffness and load handlingcapabilities of the articulated boom in the different operational modesare only defined and limited by relative positions and interactions ofboom arms and positioning cylinders of the articulated boom,respectively.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are aspects, features, elements, implementations, andembodiments of locking arrangements for construction machines.

An aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an arrangement for aconstruction machine. The arrangement comprises a machine frame and anarticulated boom. The articulated boom is arranged on the machine frame.The articulated boom comprises a proximal arm and a distal arm, whereinthe proximal arm is mounted in an articulated manner to the machineframe and the distal arm is connected in an articulated manner to theproximal arm. The arrangement is configured to be operated in anoperational mode in which the proximal arm and the machine frame areinterlocked.

The arrangement according to the present disclosure may be provided fordifferent kinds of construction machines, such as a combinedloader-excavator construction machine. The loader-excavator constructionmachine may be operated at least in a loader mode and in an excavatormode, wherein the interlocking of the proximal boom arm and the machineframe may be realized in the loader mode.

The machine frame of the arrangement may be a steel framework or a steelbase for supporting the articulated boom on the construction machine.The articulated boom may be any multi-armed boom, in particular athree-armed boom. A bucket, a hammer, or a cutter head may be held byand attached to the distal arm of the articulated boom.

Further equipment, for example an engine, a driver's cabin, acounterweight, and/or a tool storage, may also be arranged on themachine frame. At least the machine frame and the articulated boom maybe part of an upper structure of the construction machine. The upperstructure may comprise at least one battery and at least one electricmotor, which may be connected to the battery for operating theconstruction machine or at least one component thereof. For example, theupper structure, and/or the articulated boom may be operated by theelectric motor. For this purpose, for example, the electric motor mayrun at least one hydraulic pump, the articulated boom, and/or the upperstructure being moved via a hydraulic system that is powered by thehydraulic pump.

The articulated boom of the arrangement comprises at least two arms, theproximal arm and the distal arm. The proximal arm and the distal arm maybe interconnected directly or indirectly via an intermediate arm. Theproximal arm itself may be mounted on the machine frame via anarticulation, in particular an articulated joint. Thus, the proximal armmay be directly hinged to the machine frame, wherein the distal arm maybe indirectly hinged to the machine frame with at least one intermediatearm therebetween. Providing at least one further intermediate armbetween the distal arm and the proximal arm may increase the operationalrange of the construction machine.

The interlocking of the proximal arm and the machine frame may consistof, or may comprise, at least one of a locking of the proximal arm in,or to, the machine frame, a locking of the machine frame in, or to, theproximal arm, a blocking of the articulation between the proximal armand the machine frame and/or a latching of the proximal arm to themachine frame. A respective interlock, lock, block, and/or latch may bemechanically or physically provided by an interlocking means, a lockingmeans, a blocking means, and/or a latching means. At least one of thesemeans may be arranged on the machine frame or on the articulated boom.Respective means may also be arranged in a divided manner on both, themachine frame and on the articulated boom.

A core idea of the present disclosure can be seen in that the proximalarm of the multi-armed boom cannot only be held in place hydraulicallyduring at least one operational mode of the construction machine butrather mechanically locked to the machine frame. At least one respectivearticulation of the proximal arm, which is not intended to be used in anoperational mode, may thus be substantially released from forces andmoments directly acting on it. Additionally, or alternatively, forcesand moments acting on a hydraulic positioning cylinder of the proximalarm may also be reduced. Limiting the degrees of freedom of thearticulated boom by means of locking a boom arm to the machine frame mayincrease stiffness and load handling capability of the entire boom.Hence, for example, while operating the boom in a loader mode, arisingpush loads may be better absorbed by the boom and the machine frame.

A further advantageous effect of the arrangement according to thepresent disclosure resides in the fact that an interlocking of theproximal arm and the machine frame may also result in a more compactmachine design during a certain operational mode. This may result in alower center of gravity of the construction machine, which in turn maylead to an increased tilt stability of the construction machine.

The arrangement according to the present disclosure may be configured tobe operated in at least one further operational mode, in which theproximal arm and the machine frame are not interlocked. The operationalmode, in which the proximal arm and the machine frame are interlocked,may be a loader mode. An operational mode, in which the proximal arm andthe machine frame are not interlocked, may be an excavator mode.Additionally, or alternatively, a further operational mode, in which theproximal arm and the machine frame are not interlocked, may be a dozermode. Not interlocking the proximal arm may be understood as not lockingthe proximal arm in or to the machine frame, not blocking thearticulation between the proximal arm and the machine frame and/or notlatching the proximal arm to the machine frame. The distal arm may bemovable in all operational modes, wherein the proximal arm may only bearticulated when it is not interlocked. The movement range of thearticulated boom may be larger when the proximal arm and the machineframe are not interlocked.

The arrangement according to the present disclosure may further comprisea locking device that is arranged on the machine frame, wherein thelocking device is configured to engage with the proximal arm or viceversa so as to block any relative movement between the proximal arm andthe machine frame. Alternatively, or additionally, the locking devicemay be arranged on the proximal arm. The proximal arm may also beconfigured to engage with the locking device. The locking deviceprovides a mechanical connection between the proximal arm and themachine frame, wherein the mechanical connection can be selectivelytoggled on and off. The connection may comprise a force-locking and/or aform-locking component. The locking device may be an integral part ofthe machine frame and/or the proximal arm. The locking device may alsobe a separate part of the arrangement being mounted to the machine frameand/or the proximal arm. The locking device may be operated by a simplemanual interaction or remotely without manual intervention. Thus, thelocking device may efficiently provide a stiff and rigid connectionbetween the proximal arm and the machine frame.

The locking device may comprise at least one hydraulically orelectrically operated hook for engaging with the proximal arm and/orwith the machine frame. The proximal arm or the machine frame maycomprise a stud or pin, in which the hook may engage for interlockingthe proximal arm and the machine frame. Additionally, or alternatively,the hook may be part of a hook fastener as the locking device. The hookfastener may be arranged on the proximal arm and/or on the machineframe. The hook may be swiveled between an unhooked position and ahooked-up position by a hydraulic cylinder or by an actuator to catchand release the stud or pin. Such a remotely or manually controlledconnection of the proximal arm and the machine frame may provide arobust interlocking.

Additionally, or alternatively to the hook, the locking device mayconsist of, or may comprise, a bolt, a detent, or any other type offastener. The bolt, the detent, or the fastener may comprise the samefunctionality as the hook, in particular with respect to its mechanicalengaging and interlocking ability.

The arrangement according to the present disclosure may comprise a pinthat is arranged on the proximal arm, in particular a pin for fixing apiston rod eye of a positioning cylinder of the proximal arm, whereinthe pin is configured to be locked to the machine frame. The lockingdevice or the hook may engage with the pin. The positioning cylinder ofthe proximal arm may be arranged on the machine frame, wherein itspiston rod may be connected to the proximal arm at a distal end thereof.For this purpose, the piston rod eye may enclose the pin. Even thoughthe pin may be circularly enclosed by the piston rod eye, the pin maycomprise exposed portions to be used for interlocking the proximal armand the machine frame. For example, at least one exposed portion of thepin may be locked with the locking device. The hydraulically orelectrically operated hook may engage with the pin by hooking up atleast one of the exposed portions of the pin. Utilizing and locking apin of a piston rod eye may provide a compact and flush locking of theproximal arm in the machine frame or a locking device. A retro-fit of aconstruction machine, especially with such an interlocking concept, maythus be realized efficiently.

Alternatively, or additionally, a double hook may be provided forengaging with a stud or pin of the proximal arm. The pin for fixing apiston rod eye of a positioning cylinder of the proximal arm maycomprise two exposed portions sidewise of a middle portion of the pin.The piston rod eye may enclose the pin at the middle portion. Thehydraulically or electrically operated double hook may engage the pinvia both exposed portions.

The arrangement according to the present disclosure may further comprisean arm support that comprises a supporting portion for supporting theproximal arm when interlocked with the machine frame, wherein the armsupport is configured to absorb forces induced by the proximal arm. Thesupporting portion may be a contact or engagement area on which theproximal arm may rest before, during, or after being interlocked withthe machine frame. The contact or engagement area may be a seating or asurface for supporting the proximal arm during the operational mode, inwhich the movement of the proximal arm is blocked. The proximal arm maybe moved until a contact with the arm support is realized and thenlocked by the locking device. Thus, the arm support may comprise adouble functionality in supporting the proximal arm and in providing astop for locking the proximal arm. The position of the proximal arm,when resting on the arm support, may be defined as a locking position ofthe proximal arm. Especially a planar contact between the proximal armand the machine frame may further increase the stiffness of theinterconnection between the proximal arm and the machine frame.

In the interlocked position, the proximal arm may be arranged in asubstantially flush fashion with respect to the machine frame or atleast forming an acute angle with the machine frame. A substantiallyflush locking position of the proximal arm may be a folded position ofthe proximal arm. In the folded position, the proximal arm may bearranged substantially parallel to a base plate of the machine frame.The piston rod of the positioning cylinder of the proximal arm may be ina fully retracted position in the folded position. The proximal arm canbe designed in a hollow manner for accommodating at least a part of thepositioning cylinder when the proximal arm and the machine frame areinterlocked. Specifically, the retracted positioning cylinder may restin between elongated side portions of the proximal arm. Operating anarticulated boom, which proximal arm may be locked to the machine bodyof the construction machine in such a flush fashion, may provide acompact machine design. An operational mode suitable for height limitedconstruction sites may thus be realized. A locked proximal arm may alsoincrease transport safety and may lower the transport height of theconstruction machine when transported on a lorry, or truck, for example.

The articulated boom of the arrangement according to the presentdisclosure may further comprise an intermediate arm that isinterconnected in an articulated manner between the proximal arm and thedistal arm. The articulated boom may be a three-armed boom. Theintermediate arm may respectively comprise an articulation with theproximal arm and an articulation with the distal arm. The intermediatearm may be pivotable when the proximal arm and the machine frame areinterlocked and/or not interlocked. Additionally, or alternatively, theintermediate arm may be lockable to the proximal arm, the machine frame,and/or the distal arm. Providing an intermediate arm generally widensthe work range of the construction machine.

A positioning cylinder of the intermediate arm may be arranged below theintermediate arm, connecting the proximal arm and the intermediate armat distal ends thereof. A distal end of an arm may be that end, which isremoter from the machine frame. The connection at distal ends of thesearms increases the foldability of the intermediate arm. Furthermore, apositioning cylinder of the distal arm may be arranged above theintermediate arm. This positioning cylinder may connect the intermediatearm and the distal arm at proximal ends thereof. A proximal end of anarm may be the closer end of the arm with respect to machine. Hence, thepositioning cylinder of the distal arm may be arranged above thepositioning cylinder of the intermediate arm, also when the proximal armand the machine frame are interlocked. Both of these cylinders may bearranged above the positioning cylinder of the proximal arm. All ofthese positioning cylinders may be arranged in a single plane.

In the arrangement according to the present disclosure, the intermediatearm, a positioning cylinder of the intermediate arm and a positioningcylinder of the distal arm may be arranged substantially parallel toeach other. An effect of this arrangement can be seen in that thepositioning cylinder of the intermediate arm and the positioningcylinder of the distal arm may remain parallel to each other regardlessof the articulation and moving positions of the proximal arm, theintermediate arm, and/or of the distal arm. Hence, the cylinders thatare provided between the proximal arm and the distal arm may permanentlyprovide a stiff parallelogram-like arrangement.

The arrangement according to the present disclosure may further comprisea tool mount being mounted in an articulated manner to the distal armfor mounting a tool on the articulated boom. The tool mount may beconfigured to hold different tools. The tool or a further tool to bemounted on the tool mount may be provided on the machine frame orelsewhere on the upper structure of the construction machine. For thispurpose, the machine frame or the upper structure may comprise a toolstorage for storing or carrying at least one tool. The tool may be anadditional tool that is held in reserve while another tool is alreadymounted on the tool mount. The distal arm of the articulated boom may bepivoted to the tool, which is stored in the tool storage, to be pickedby the tool mount. Picking or changing a tool may be carried out whenthe proximal arm and the machine frame are interlocked or notinterlocked. In particular, an unlocking step of the proximal arm mayprecede the picking or changing step of the tool. The different tools,which can be mounted to the tool mount, may be provided for differentoperational modes. The different tools may be buckets of differentsizes, for example an excavator bucket and a loader bucket.

A construction machine according to the present disclosure comprises achassis for moving the construction machine on a ground and an upperstructure. The upper structure is arranged on the chassis and has anarrangement with a machine frame and an articulated boom. Thearticulated boom is arranged on the machine frame. The articulated boomcomprises a proximal arm mounted in an articulated manner to the machineframe and a distal arm connected in an articulated manner to theproximal arm. The arrangement or the construction machine is configuredto be operated in an operational mode in which the proximal arm and themachine frame are interlocked.

The upper structure of the construction machine may be part of themachine body of the construction machine. The upper structure may bepivotably arranged on the chassis, in particular pivotably about avertical axis. The chassis of the construction machine may be achain-driven chassis or a wheel-driven chassis. The chassis may furthercomprise a tool storage for storing a tool to be mounted on the toolmount of the distal arm.

According to the present disclosure, the upper structure of theconstruction machine may further comprise a recess for accommodating theproximal arm of the arrangement when interlocked with the machine frameof the arrangement. Further machine equipment may be arranged on themachine frame sidewise of the recess. The recess allows for a flushinterlocking of the proximal arm with the machine frame. Theconstruction machine according to the present disclosure may further beconfigured to be operated in a loader mode, in which the proximal arm ofthe arrangement is interlocked with the machine frame of the arrangementand/or in an excavator mode, in which the proximal arm of thearrangement is not interlocked with the machine frame of thearrangement. The articulated boom may include a three-armed boom. Whenoperated in the loader mode, the three-armed articulated boom may bemoved by pivoting the intermediate arm and the distal arm only, whilethe proximal arm is locked to the machine frame. When operated in theexcavator mode, also the proximal arm of the three-armed boom may bepivotable.

A method for changing an operational mode of a construction machineaccording to the present disclosure comprises the step of interlockingor unlocking a proximal arm of an articulated boom with or from amachine frame for switching between a first operational mode and asecond operational mode of the construction machine. The constructionmachine comprises the machine frame and the articulated boom, whereinthe articulated boom is arranged on the machine frame. The proximal armand the machine frame may be interlocked in the first operational mode,wherein the proximal arm and the machine frame may not be interlocked inthe second operational mode.

Changing an operational mode may comprise switching from an excavatormode to a loader mode or vice versa. The changing of an operational modemay also comprise the interchanging of tools by dropping or grabbing atool by a tool mount, which is arranged at a distal end of thearticulated boom.

A method for retro-fitting a construction machine according to thepresent disclosure comprises the step of adding the arrangementaccording to any of the described embodiments to a construction machine,in particular to a combined loader-excavator construction machine.Retro-fitting a construction machine may also be an upgrading orredesigning of the construction machine.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a locking arrangement fora construction machine, wherein the arrangement comprises a machineframe and an articulated boom. The articulated boom is arranged on themachine frame.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a construction machine,which comprises a chassis for moving the construction machine on aground and an upper structure. The upper structure is arranged on thechassis and comprises a machine frame and an articulated boom.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method for changing anoperational mode of a construction machine, which has a machine frameand an articulated boom.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method forretro-fitting a construction machine.

Variations in these and other aspects, features, elements,implementations, and embodiments of the methods, apparatus, procedures,and algorithms disclosed herein are described in further detailhereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis emphasized that, according to common practice, the various featuresof the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of thevarious features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a side view of a construction machine in anexcavator mode according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 generally illustrates a perspective view of the constructionmachine of FIG. 1 during an operational mode change to or from theexcavator mode.

FIG. 3 generally illustrates a side view of the construction machine ofFIG. 1 in a hammer mode.

FIG. 4 generally illustrates a perspective view of the constructionmachine of FIG. 1 during an operational mode change to or from thehammer mode.

FIG. 5 generally illustrates the construction machine of FIG. 1 in aloader mode.

FIG. 6 generally illustrates the construction machine of FIG. 1 in adozer mode or during an operational mode change to or from the loadermode.

FIG. 7 generally illustrates a plan view of a bottom side of an upperstructure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with a tool changer in astowed condition.

FIG. 8 generally illustrates a plan view of an upper side of the upperstructure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer inthe stored condition.

FIG. 9 generally illustrates a plan view of the bottom side of the upperstructure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer inan alignment condition.

FIG. 10 generally illustrates a plan view of the upper side of the upperstructure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer inthe alignment condition.

FIG. 11 generally illustrates a plan view of the bottom side of theupper structure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the toolchanger in a further alignment condition.

FIG. 12 generally illustrates a plan view of the upper side of the upperstructure of the construction machine of FIG. 1 with the tool changer inthe further alignment condition.

FIG. 13 generally illustrates a side view of a loaded tool changer ofthe construction machine of FIG. 1 according to the principles of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 14 generally illustrates a further side view of the loaded toolchanger of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 generally illustrates a plan view from above the loaded toolchanger of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 generally illustrates a side view of the tool changer of FIG. 13without tools.

FIG. 17 generally illustrates a further side view of the tool changer ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 generally illustrates a plan view from above the tool changer ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 generally illustrates a perspective view of an arrangementcomprising a machine frame and an articulated boom of the constructionmachine of FIG. 1 in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 20 generally illustrates a sectional side view of the arrangementof FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 generally illustrates a perspective view of the arrangement ofFIG. 19 in a locked configuration.

FIG. 22 generally illustrates a sectional side view of the arrangementof FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are subsequently described withreference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 22.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a multi tool construction machine 1 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the construction machine 1is shown in different operational modes. The construction machine 1comprises a chassis 4, an upper structure 5 and an articulated boom 2.

The chassis 4 may be a chain-driven chassis 4 or a wheel-driven chassis(not shown). The upper structure 5 may be arranged on the chassis 4 in apivotable manner to be rotatable with respect to the chassis 4. Therotatability of the upper structure 5 with respect to the chassis 4 maybe provided around a vertical axis of rotation. Additionally, oralternatively, the upper structure 5 is 360°-rotatable with respect tothe chassis 4.

The upper structure 5 may comprise a machine frame 6 as a base frame orbasic framework of the upper structure 5. The upper structure 5 mayfurther comprise a driver's cabin 9, an engine-hydraulic unit 15, and/ora counterweight 16. A hydraulic pump (not shown) for operating hydraulicactuators and a swing drive (not shown) for rotating the upper structure5 with respect to the chassis 4 may further be provided. The driver'scabin 9, the engine-hydraulic unit 15, and the counterweight 16 may bearranged on the machine frame 6. The upper structure 5 may furthercomprise a recess 7. The recess 7 may be formed above the machine frame6 for accommodating at least part of the articulated boom 2, i.e. theproximal arm 62, when being folded towards or against the machine frame6. The driver cabin 9, the engine-hydraulic unit 15, and/or thecounterweight 16 may be arranged around the recess 7. In other words,the recess 7 may be surrounded by the driver cabin 9, theengine-hydraulic unit 15, and/or the counterweight 16. As illustrated inFIGS. 8, 10 and 12, the engine-hydraulic unit 15 may be arranged on bothsides of the recess 7. The driver cabin 9 as well as theengine-hydraulic unit 15 may be arranged on opposite sides of the upperstructure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. The articulated boom2 may be arranged between the driver cabin 9 and the engine-hydraulicunit 15. The construction machine 1 may comprise, instead of or inaddition to the engine-hydraulic unit 15, at least one battery (notshown) and at least one electric motor (not shown) for operating thechassis 4, the upper structure 5, the machine frame 6, the hydraulicpump, and/or the articulated boom 2.

The articulated boom 2 may be arranged on the upper structure 5, whereinthe articulated boom 2 may be a three-armed boom 2 or a two-armed boom(not shown). At one boom end, the articulated boom 2 may be pivotablyattached to the machine frame 6 by means of a first articulation 61. Thefirst articulation 61 may be a pivot joint. The first articulation 61may be provided at a central position of the machine frame 6 inwidthwise direction of the upper structure 5 and in front of to thevertical axis of rotation of the upper structure 5 in lengthwisedirection of the upper structure 5. At the other end of the articulatedboom 2, which is not attached to the machine frame 6, a tool mount 3 maybe pivotably arranged.

The articulated boom 2 may comprise a proximal arm 62, an intermediatearm 64 and a distal arm 66. The proximal arm 62 may be hinged to themachine frame 6 by means of the first articulation 61, the intermediatearm 64 may be hinged to the proximal arm 62 by means of a secondarticulation 63 and/or the distal arm 66 may be hinged to theintermediate arm 64 by means of a third articulation 65. Thearticulations 61, 63, 65 may be designed as pivoting joints. The firstarticulation 61 may interconnect the proximal arm 62 and the upperstructure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively, the secondarticulation 63 may interconnect the intermediate arm 64 and theproximal arm 62 and the third articulation 65 may interconnect thedistal arm 66 and the intermediate arm 64.

The articulated boom 2 may further comprise a first positioning cylinder82 for pivoting the proximal arm 62, a second positioning cylinder 84for pivoting the intermediate arm 64, a third positioning cylinder 86for pivoting the distal arm 66 and/or a fourth positioning cylinder 88for pivoting the tool mount 3.

The first positioning cylinder 82 may be hinged to the machine frame 6rearward of the first articulation 61. Furthermore, the firstpositioning cylinder 82 may be hinged to the backside of the distal endof the proximal arm 62, the backside being that side which is facingaway from the intermediate arm 64. The first positioning cylinder 82 maybe a boom cylinder for pivoting the entire articulated boom 2 withrespect to the machine frame 6. The second positioning cylinder 84 maybe hinged to the distal end of the proximal arm 62 and to a distal endof the intermediate arm 64. The second positioning cylinder 84 may bearranged beneath the intermediate arm 64. The third positioning cylinder86 may be hinged to a proximal end of the intermediate arm 64 and to aproximal end of the distal arm 66. The third positioning cylinder 86 maybe arranged above the intermediate arm 64 and/or above the secondpositioning cylinder 84. The second positioning cylinder 84 and thethird positioning cylinder 86 may be arranged substantially parallel toeach other in all operating positions of the boom. The fourthpositioning cylinder 88 may be hinged to a proximal end of the distalarm 66 and to the tool mount 3 at the distal end of the distal arm 66.The fourth positioning cylinder 88 may be arranged above the distal arm66, i.e. on that side of the distal arm 66 which is facing away from theproximal arm 62.

Different tools 10, 20, 30 may be provided on the construction machine1, which are configured to be mounted to the tool mount 3 that may bepivotably attached to the distal arm 66. A fourth articulation 67 mayinterconnect the distal arm 66 and the tool mount 3. Tools 10, 20, 30not mounted to the tool mount 3 are carried by the construction machine1. A first tool 10 may be a loader bucket 11, a second tool 20 may be anexcavator bucket 21 and a third tool 30 may be a hammer 31, wherein atleast the loader bucket 11 and the excavator bucket 21 may be providedon the construction machine 1. The hammer 31 may be a hydraulic hammer.Alternatively, only two tools out of the different tools 10, 20, 30 maybe provided on the machine.

The chassis 4 may comprise a first tool carrier 40 and the upperstructure 5 may further comprise a second tool carrier 50, wherein thefirst tool carrier 40 and/or the second tool carrier 50 may provide atool storage on the construction machine 1. The second tool carrier maybe configured as a tool changer 50. The first tool carrier 40 may bearranged at the rear side of the chassis 4 and may be configured tocarry the first tool 10. The first tool carrier 40 may be tiltable andmay be moved between an upward position as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and adownward position as shown in FIG. 6. The upward position may serve forcarrying the first tool 10 and the downward position may serve forutilizing the first tool 10, e.g. the loader bucket 11, for carrying outdozer work with the construction machine 1. In other words, in theupward position, the first tool 10 is spaced from the ground, whereas itis in contact with or at least in proximity of the ground in thedownward position.

The second tool carrier 50 may be arranged at the front end of the upperstructure 5, wherein the second tool carrier 50 may be positionedadjacent to the articulated boom 2 and/or in front of theengine-hydraulic unit 15. The articulated boom 2 may be arranged inbetween the driver cabin 9 and the second tool carrier 50. The secondtool carrier 50 may be accommodated in a frame recess 8 of the machineframe 6 and may be pivoted from a stowed position, as shown in FIGS. 1,3, 5 and 6, to at least one pivot position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.Hereto, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivotably attached to themachine frame 6. A pivoting movement of the second tool carrier 50 maybe provided by a positioning cylinder 52, for example a hydraulicpositioning cylinder. Two tools 20, 30 may be carried on the second toolcarrier 50. The tools 20, 30 may be the excavator bucket 21 and thehammer 31, both mountable to the tool mount 3. The second tool carrier50 may be operated by at least one battery (not shown) and at least oneelectric motor (not shown). The at least one battery and the at leastone electric motor may power the second tool carrier for providing thepivoting movement.

Different operational modes of the construction machine 1 aresubsequently described with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 shows the construction machine 1 in an excavator mode being anoperational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operationalmode, the articulated boom 2 may be arranged in an unlockedconfiguration such that all boom articulations 61, 63, 65, 67 areunlocked and all arms 62, 64, 66 are movable. In this excavator mode,the excavator bucket 21 may be mounted to the tool mount 3. The loaderbucket 11 and the hammer 31 may be carried by the construction machine 1by depositing them in the tool storage, i.e. the first tool 10 or secondtool carrier 50.

FIG. 2 shows the construction machine of FIG. 1 during a step ofselecting or picking of the excavator bucket 21 by the tool mount 3attached to the distal arm 66 of the articulated boom 2 for operation ofthe construction machine 1 in the excavator mode as shown in FIG. 1.Hereto, the excavator bucket 21 may be taken by the tool mount 3 from afirst tool retaining portion 152 of the second tool carrier 50. To allowfor such a pickup, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted from astowed position as shown in FIG. 1 to a first changing position. Thisfirst changing position is situated in a working space of thearticulated boom 2, i.e. at a position that is reachable by the toolmount 3 of the articulated boom 2. The tool mount 3 may snap in theexcavator bucket 21 automatically.

FIG. 3 shows the construction machine 1 in a hammer mode as a furtheroperational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operationalmode, the articulated boom 2 may be arranged in an unlockedconfiguration, in which all boom articulations 61, 63, 65, 67 aremovable. The hammer 31 may be mounted on the tool mount 3, and theloader bucket 11 and the excavator bucket 21 may be carried by theconstruction machine 1.

FIG. 4 shows the construction machine 1 in a step of selecting orpicking of the hammer 31 by the tool mount 3 attached to the distal arm66 of the articulated boom 2 for operation of the construction machine 1in the hammer mode as shown in FIG. 3. Hereto, the hammer 31 may betaken from a second tool retaining portion 154 of the second toolcarrier 50 by the tool mount 3. To allow for such a pickup, the secondtool carrier 50 may be pivoted from a stowed position as shown in FIG. 3to a second changing position. This second changing position is situatedin a working space of articulated boom 2. The second changing positionmay be less changing than the first changing position as shown in FIG.2. The tool mount 3 may snap into the hammer 31 automatically.

FIG. 5 shows the construction machine 1 in a loader mode as a furtheroperational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operationalmode, the articulated boom 2 may be arranged in a partly lockedconfiguration, in which the first articulation 61 may be blocked byinterlocking the proximal arm 62 of the articulated boom 2 with theupper structure 5 and/or the machine frame 6 of the construction machine1. In the loader mode, the articulated boom 2 may be de facto atwo-armed boom. The loader bucket 11 may be mounted to the tool mount 3,and the excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be carried by theconstruction machine 1.

FIG. 6 shows the construction machine 1 in a dozer mode as a furtheroperational mode of the construction machine 1. In this operationalmode, the articulated boom 2 may be not operated. The constructionmachine 1 exhibits an identical configuration as that shown in FIG. 6during a change of the operational mode to an excavator mode. Forconducting such a change, the loader bucket 11 may be taken by the toolmount 3 from the first tool carrier 40 by pivoting the upper structure 5around a vertical rotation axis to move the tool mount 3 of thearticulated boom above the loader bucket 11 attached to the first toolcarrier 40. The upper structure 5 may be pivoted about 180 degrees fromthe front of the chassis 4 to the rear of the chassis 4 for picking upthe loader bucket 11. The tool mount 3 may snap in the loader bucket 11automatically. After picking of the loader bucket 11 with the tool mount3, the upper structure may be rotated by 180 degrees with respect to thechassis. Thereafter, the proximal arm 62 may be interlocked with theupper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively, as shown inFIG. 5.

The configuration of the second tool carrier 50, i.e. the tool changer,is subsequently described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. In thesefigures, only the upper structure 5 of the construction machine 1together with the tool changer 50 is illustrated from above and below.The tool changer 50 comprises the positioning cylinder 52 and a toolcarrier articulation 54, for example a pivot joint.

The positioning cylinder 52 may be pivotably attached to the machineframe 6 adjacent to the vertical axis of rotation of the upper structure5 and further pivotably attached to a base plate 55 of the second toolcarrier 50. When extending a piston rod 53 of the positioning cylinder52, the second tool carrier 50 may be pivoted outwardly to at least onechanging position, and when retracting the piston rod 53, the secondtool carrier 50 may be pivoted back inwardly into its stowed position.

For providing a defined pivoting movement of the second tool carrier 50by means of the positioning cylinder 52, the tool carrier articulation54 of the second tool carrier 50 may be arranged on the upper structure5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. The second tool carrier 50 maybe hinged to the tool carrier articulation 54 via a hinging portion 156,which may be attached to the base plate 55 and may be constructed as apivot arm 157 for providing the pivoting movement.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the second tool carrier 50 in a stowed position, inwhich the second tool carrier 50 is accommodated in the upper structure5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. Specifically, in the stowedposition, the second tool carrier 50 is positioned in the frame recess 8within the upper structure 5 and the machine frame 6, respectively. Theframe recess 8 can be seen from above in FIGS. 10 and 12, for example.If the second tool carrier 50 is in the stowed position, theconstruction machine 1 may be in a loader mode, in which the excavatorbucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be carried by the tool carrier 50 asshown in FIG. 8. The stowed position of the tool changer 50 may also bedefined as an initial position of a tool exchange process.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the second tool changer 50 in a first changingposition, in which the tool changer 50 is pivoted outwardly and awayfrom the machine frame 6. This first changing position may be analignment condition, in which a hammer 31 that is provided on the secondtool carrier 50 may be picked up with the tool mount 3 of thearticulated boom 2 (both not shown). By picking the hammer with thearticulated boom 2 from the second tool carrier 50, the operational modeof the construction machine 1 may be changed to a hammer mode. In thehammer mode, the excavator bucket 21 may still be carried on the secondtool carrier 50.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the tool changer 50 in a second changing positionpivoted outwardly and away from the machine frame 6. This secondchanging position may be an alignment condition, in which an excavatorbucket 21 that is provided on the second tool carrier 50 may be pickedup with the tool mount 3 of the articulated boom 2 (both not shown). Bypicking the excavator bucket 21 from the second tool carrier 50, theoperational mode of the construction machine 1 may be changed to anexcavator mode. In the excavator mode, the hammer 31 may still becarried on the second tool carrier 50.

FIGS. 13 to 18 show the tool changer 50 with and without tools 20, 30.The excavator bucket 21 and the hammer 31 may be arranged adjacent toeach other on the second tool carrier 50, wherein the excavator bucket21 may be arranged next to the positioning cylinder 52 and the hammer 31may be arranged next to the hinging portion 156. The excavator bucket 21and the hammer 31 may be situated at opposite portions of the toolchanger 50. The hammer 31 may be arranged obliquely with respect to theexcavator bucket 21 in a top view from above for providing anorientation of the tools 21, 31 that is aligned, i.e. parallel, with thefirst and second changing positions, respectively.

The second tool carrier 50 may have two tool retaining portions 152,154. The excavator bucket 21 may be carried at the first tool retainingportion 152 and the hammer 31 may be carried at the second toolretaining portion 154. The base plate 55 may be divided into the tworetaining portions 152, 154. Within the first tool retaining portion152, a seating 56 may be provided for supporting an excavator bucket 21.The seating 56 may comprise an inclined surface for accommodating theexcavator bucket 21.

For securing the tools, the second tool carrier 50 may comprise clampingmeans 153, 155 for holding the tools. A first clamping means 153 may beprovided as a clamp on the first tool retaining portion 152 for holdingthe excavator bucket 21 and a second clamping means 155 may be providedas a further clamp on the second tool retaining portion 154 for holdingthe hammer 31. Both clamping means 153, 155 may be actuated by ahydraulic cylinder 151. The first clamping means 153 may be of apusher-type or pestle-type to exert a pressing force onto the excavatorbucket 21 against the seating 56. The second clamping means 155 may beof a pliers-type to exert a holding or pressing force onto the hammer 31from two opposite sides thereof.

FIGS. 19 to 22 show an arrangement 100 comprising at least part of themachine frame 6, the articulated boom 2, which is pivotably attached tothe machine frame 6, and a locking device 70. The articulation 61 of theproximal arm 62 of the articulated boom 2 may be arranged at the frontportion of the machine frame 6 and the locking device 70 may be arrangedat the rear portion of the machine frame 6. The distance lyingtherebetween may substantially correspond to the length of the proximalarm 62.

Furthermore, FIGS. 19 to 22 show a folded-in position of the proximalarm 62 and the intermediate arm 64 of the articulated boom 2, whereinthe machine frame 6 and the proximal arm 62 as well as the proximal arm62 and the intermediate arm 64 each form an acute angle. Folded in, thefirst positioning cylinder 82, the second positioning cylinder 84 andthe third positioning cylinder 86 of the articulated boom 2 aresubstantially parallel to each other.

The locking device 70 may comprise a double hook 72 or a single hook(not shown) and an arm support 74. The arm support 74 provides a restsurface, against which the proximal arm 62 can be supported. The hook 72may be hydraulically actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 73. Alternativelyor additionally, the hook 72 may be electrically actuated by an electricactuator (not shown). The hook 72 may be arranged to engageable with apin 89 that is mounted to the proximal arm 62. Besides, the pin 89 mayprimarily serve for fixing a piston rod eye 90 of the first positioningcylinder 82 of the proximal arm 62.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an unhooked condition, in which the hook 72 doesnot engage with the pin 89. However, the proximal arm 62 rests on thearm support 74 allowing for hooking up of the hook 72. In this unhookedcondition, the articulated boom 2 may be operated as a three-armed boom,for example in the excavator or hammer mode.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show a hooked-up condition, in which the hook 72 engageswith the pin 89. The proximal arm 62 rests on the arm support 74 forstabilizing the arrangement 100. Based on this hooked-up condition, thearticulated boom 2 may be operated as a two-armed boom, for example inthe loader or dozer mode. In this hooked-up condition, the proximal arm62 is interlocked with the machine frame 6.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure as shown in FIGS.1 to 22, a single construction machine 1 may be efficiently operated inseveral different operational modes as a plurality of tools 10, 20, 30is directly provided on the machine body. These tools may beautomatically changed by utilizing the tool changer 50, wherein amultiple-armed boom 2 may be partly blocked to allow for variable boomoperations tailored to the different operational modes of theconstruction machine 1.

As used herein, the terminology “or” is intended to mean an inclusive“or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise,or clear from context, “X includes A or B” is intended to indicate anyof the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; Xincludes B; or X includes both A and B, then “X includes A or B” issatisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, thearticles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appendedclaims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singularform.

Further, for simplicity of explanation, although the figures anddescriptions herein may include sequences or series of steps or stages,elements of the methods disclosed herein may occur in various orders orconcurrently. Additionally, elements of the methods disclosed herein mayoccur with other elements not explicitly presented and described herein.Furthermore, not all elements of the methods described herein may berequired to implement a method in accordance with this disclosure.Although aspects, features, and elements are described herein inparticular combinations, each aspect, feature, or element may be usedindependently or in various combinations with or without other aspects,features, and elements.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with certainembodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to belimited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intendedto cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements includedwithin the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accordedthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrangement for a construction machine,comprising a machine frame; and an articulated boom being arranged onthe machine frame, the articulated boom comprising a proximal arm thatis mounted in an articulated manner to the machine frame and a distalarm that is connected in an articulated manner to the proximal arm,wherein the arrangement is configured to be operated in an operationalmode, in which the proximal arm and the machine frame are interlocked.2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the arrangement is configured tobe operated in a further operational mode, in which the proximal arm andthe machine frame are not interlocked.
 3. The arrangement of claim 1,further comprising a locking device being arranged on the machine frame,wherein the locking device is engageable with the proximal arm so as toblock any relative movement between the proximal arm and the machineframe.
 4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the locking devicecomprises at least one hydraulically operated hook for engaging theproximal arm.
 5. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein the locking devicecomprises at least one electrically operated hook for engaging theproximal arm.
 6. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a pinbeing arranged to the proximal arm, for fixing a piston rod eye of apositioning cylinder of the proximal arm, is configured to be locked tothe machine frame.
 7. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising anarm support comprising a supporting portion for supporting the proximalarm when interlocked with the machine frame, wherein the arm support isconfigured to absorb forces induced by the proximal arm.
 8. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the proximal arm is lockablesubstantially flush with the machine frame or in a manner at leastforming an acute angle with the machine frame when interlockedtherewith.
 9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the articulated boomfurther comprises: an intermediate arm that is interconnected in anarticulated manner between the proximal arm and the distal arm; and apositioning cylinder of the distal arm that is arranged above theintermediate arm.
 10. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein theintermediate arm, a positioning cylinder of the intermediate arm, andthe positioning cylinder of the distal arm are arranged substantiallyparallel to each other.
 11. The arrangement of claim 1, furthercomprising a tool mount being mounted in an articulated manner to thedistal arm for mounting a tool on the articulated boom.
 12. Aconstruction machine, comprising: a chassis for moving the constructionmachine on a ground; and an upper structure being arranged on thechassis with an arrangement according to claim
 1. 13. The constructionmachine of claim 12, wherein the upper structure comprises a recess foraccommodating the proximal arm of the arrangement when interlocked withthe machine frame of the arrangement.
 14. The construction machine ofclaim 13, wherein the construction machine is configured to be operatedin a load mode, in which the proximal arm of the arrangement isinterlocked with the machine frame of the arrangement.
 15. Theconstruction machine of claim 13, wherein the construction machine isconfigured to be operated in an excavator mode, in which the proximalarm of the arrangement is not interlocked with the machine frame of thearrangement.
 16. The construction machine of claim 13, wherein theconstruction machine is configured to be operated in a load mode, inwhich the proximal arm of the arrangement is interlocked with themachine frame of the arrangement, and wherein the construction machineis configured to be operated in an excavator mode, in which the proximalarm of the arrangement is not interlocked with the machine frame of thearrangement.
 17. A method for changing an operational mode of aconstruction machine that includes a machine frame and an articulatedboom, the articulated boom being arranged on the machine frame, themethod comprising: interlocking a proximal arm of the articulated boomwith the machine frame for switching between a first operational modeand a second operational mode of the construction machine.
 18. A methodfor changing an operational mode of a construction machine that includesa machine frame and an articulated boom, the articulated boom beingarranged on the machine frame, the method comprising: unlocking aproximal arm of the articulated boom from the machine frame forswitching between a first operational mode and a second operational modeof the construction machine.
 19. A method for retrofitting aconstruction machine with an arrangement according to claim 1.